I have a 1988 GTA that used to have the 350TPI under the hood. Unfortunately, that engine is now in a bucket in the corner of the mechanics shop. I'm looking into two possible replacements, one being the 12513151 Caprice engine from:

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=128&pid=105

SDPC techs are recommending the LT1 cam in the engine for a bit more kick. This is my daily driver and I don't want to give up any MPG, but there is that one black Mustang that tries to pass me once in a while.... In other words, I want all the power I can get without sacrificing MPG. Of course, since that is a "mis-application" for that engine, I don't get much of a warranty versus the Marshall rebuilt that I'm looking at.

So, Q#1, how do ya'll think that engine would do in my GTA as a daily driver?

Q#2 is, the sales guy at SDPC said the compression ratio of that engine was such that I'd have to run premium unleaded. (I'm not findng my notes, but I'm thinking it 9.75 to 1???). Anyway, at current gas prices and do NOT want to be forced into premium. He did say that for $100 they could put a thicker head gasket on it and drop the compression a bit and make regular unleaded work fine. What do ya'll think about that?

Q#3: anybody used a Marshall rebuilt and got anything good to say about it?

Q#4: my budget on the engine is $2000 max. Keeping in mind that it is a daily driver (70 miles per day minimum), what would you put in it?

Thanks!!!

-Farren

 

#1 - Very nicely, not much different than your L98.

#2 - I believe he's mistaken.

#3 - Can't help you there.

#4 - This wouldn't be a bad choice, especially if you did the install yourself.

This really isn't a great performance engine. IIRC, it has swirl port heads. What I would consider is getting a shortblock like this http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=514&pid=620 , have your heads reworked, put it together with your old cam and such (get a new oil pump, timing set, plus gaskets, hoses, etc.), spend whatever money you have left over on exhaust.

 

You can't beat that motor for a short block. I took the heads and cam out and used my ZZ4 heads and LT4 hot cam. Where else are you going to get a bottom end like that for $1500.00?